Exclusive:Sheffield United discover hefty Harry Souttar transfer stumbling block as Leicester City stance confirmed
Sheffield United discover hefty Harry Souttar transfer stumbling block as Leicester City stance confirmed
Sheffield United remain keen to bring former loan star Harry Souttar back to Bramall Lane this summer - despite discovering Leicester City’s hefty asking price for the towering Australian international. As we reported over the weekend, the 27-year-old could be sold this summer to raise funds after City slipped into League One.
Souttar impressed everyone with his performances on loan for United the season before last, which was cruelly ended for him on Boxing Day with a serious Achilles injury and for United in the play-off final.
Since then Souttar has endured a gruelling recovery process but was back on the pitch for club and country, shining at this summer’s World Cup for Australia until missing a penalty in the shoot-out against Egypt.
He then returned to England with his future up in the air. Understandably United are not alone in their admiration of him, with West Ham United the latest to be linked alongside ambitious Championship rivals Wrexham.
There was even social media chatter over the weekend of United having a £2m bid accepted, which is hugely wide of the mark. The Star understands that United have been informed that City’s asking price is £10m.
As things stand, that is well out of United’s transfer budget and would need a rapid change of tack from the owners, Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, in terms of their direction for the club this summer.
But conversely, in the wake of yet more fan criticism and question marks of late, sanctioning such an ambitious move would be one fairly easy way to get the majority of fans back on side.
United need at least two centre-halves, with skipper Japhet Tanganga partnered by rookie Jamal Baptiste from the start in pre-season so far. Mark McGuinness and Nils Zatterstrom have also featured but their futures in South Yorkshire are less secure.
The Blades are also keen on right-back reinforcements and were linked over the weekend with another former loan man in Harry Clarke, who saw his contract with Ipswich Town extended following their promotion to the Premier League this summer.
He is also of interest to a number of other Championship clubs, though, and is said to be in discussions with Bristol City over a potential move to Ashton Gate ahead of next month’s season start.